Two islanders recognised in Queen’s New Year Honours List

Sunday 31 December 2017

A children’s charity founder and a bomb disposal officer have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.

Her Majesty The Queen awards the honour to those who have made achievements in public life, or made other people’s lives better by their services and commitment to the community.

This year, two islanders are among those to be honoured – Philip Gower and Stuart Elliott. 

Mr Gower has been awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his support to vulnerable children and young people in Jersey.  

Pictured: Philip Gower has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List.

The businessman and philanthropist moved to Jersey in 1981 and has supported a number of charities and organisations through his foundation, ‘The Philip Gower Charitable Trust’.

Mr Gower said that it was “an honour” to accept the award in recognition of his efforts to help underprivileged and vulnerable children and young children by contributing to organised charities both at home and abroad.

“It is something I have done all my life, but over recent years, has become more important to me and takes up more of my time.

"We have made donations over the years to provide buildings from which to operate, and finance to help with operational costs for the NSPCC, Barnardos and the Grace Trust. We have also provided smaller grants to other Jersey and some international charities such as Orbis and Sightsavers, that both do amazing work carrying out sight saving operations in poor countries. We also support Smile Train, Children’s Country Holidays and Kids Out which in association with Rotary, is now benefiting Jersey children.”

Stuart Elliott has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the community as Jersey’s Bomb Disposal Officer. He has detonated and safely removed explosives and ammunition of terrorist, criminal or historic origin, found around the island for the past 42 years. 

Pictured: Stuart Elliott with a 21cm german shell on Grouville Bay in 2015.

Mr Elliot first joined the States of Jersey Police in 1967, and became a bomb disposal officer in 1975. He continued as the island's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer after he retired from the force in 2011. 

Mr Elliott said that the honour was “totally unexpected and a privilege even to be considered for such recognition.” 

Praising those who have helped him in his disposal endeavours over the years, he added: “I am, however, conscious the award acknowledges commitment to bomb disposal over the years not only by myself but to all who have contributed within this sphere directly or in support to keeping the island safe from potential explosive hazards that may arise. I’d like to specially mention my wife Cathy who has continually supported me and tolerates my disappearing at short notice when tasks arise. 

“I also believe it to be recognition for the island as a whole illustrating we can provide specialist capabilities without the need to seek outside assistance for every occasion – having a local bomb disposal response in place ensures tasks are dealt with effectively with minimal disruption to island life and can but contribute to the happy and safe environment in which to live - something to be proud of."